Gel Can Air Freshener with Dual Scent

ABSTRACT

An air freshener comprises a container divided into separate and discrete reservoirs separated by an inner wall. A cap is disposed on the container and covers the reservoirs. First and second different fragrant materials are each disposed in a different one of the separate and discrete reservoirs so that the first and second different fragrant materials are separate and discrete with respect to one another in the container. The first and second different fragrant materials have different fragrances combinable in a synergistic manner. The first and second different fragrant materials each comprise a water based gel. One of the fragrant materials can comprise a neutralizing agent.

PRIORITY CLAIM(S) AND/OR RELATED PATENT(S)/APPLICATION(S)

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/060,169,filed Oct. 22, 2013, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

This is related to U.S. Pat. No. 8,251,299, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to air fresheners.

2. Related Art

Some air fresheners provide a fragrant material in a can with a lid,which when removed allows the fragrance to escape, but also exposes thefragrant material in the entire can to debris, escape, children and/orpets. It will be appreciated the fragrant material can be harmful ifingested and/or a skin or eye irritant. In addition, it will beappreciated that the fragrant material can be harmful to surfaces, suchas by staining.

Another air freshener can has a lid with overlapping upward aperturethat can turn to align the apertures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop an airfreshener to selectively release scent. In addition, it has beenrecognized that it would be advantageous to develop an air freshenerthat resists tampering and/or fouling. Furthermore, it has beenrecognized that it would be advantageous to develop an air freshener torelease more than one scent.

The invention provides an air freshener comprising a container with anopen upper end. The container is divided into separate and discretereservoirs, separated by an inner wall extending from a bottom of thecontainer towards the open upper end of the container. First and seconddifferent fragrant materials are each disposed in a different one of theseparate and discrete reservoirs, so that the first and second differentfragrant materials are separate and discrete with respect to one anotherin the container. The first and second different fragrant materials havedifferent fragrances combinable in a synergistic manner. The first andsecond different fragrant materials each comprise a water based gel. Acap is disposed on the container over the open upper end to cover andselectively expose the separate and discrete reservoirs and the firstand second different fragrant materials.

In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the invention, the firstfragrant material can provide a desired or aesthetically pleasingfragrance, and the second fragrant material can comprise a neutralizingagent.

In addition, the invention provides an air freshener comprising acontainer with an open upper end. The container is divided into separateand discrete reservoirs, separated by an inner wall extending from abottom of the container towards the open upper end of the container.First and second different fragrant materials are each disposed in adifferent one of the separate and discrete reservoirs, so that the firstand second different fragrant materials are separate and discrete withrespect to one another in the container. The first fragrant materialprovides a desired or aesthetically pleasing fragrance. The secondfragrant material comprises a neutralizing agent. The first and seconddifferent fragrant materials each comprising a water based gel. A cap isdisposed on the container over the open upper end to cover andselectively expose the separate and discrete reservoirs and the firstand second different fragrant materials. An outer wall of the container,the inner wall of the container, and the second fragrant material are atleast translucent. The first fragrant material is visible through theouter wall of the container, the inner wall of the container, and thefirst fragrant material.

Furthermore, the invention provides an air freshener comprising acontainer with an open upper end. The container has at outer wall thatis translucent. The container has an inner wall extending from a bottomof the container towards the open upper end of the container. The innerwall divides the container into separate and discrete reservoirs,separated by the inner wall extending from a bottom of the containertowards the open upper end of the container. The inner wall istranslucent. A cap is disposed on the container over the open upper endto cover and selectively expose the separate and discrete reservoirs.The cap has a top wall that is translucent. First and second differentfragrant materials are each disposed in a different one of the separateand discrete reservoirs of the container, so that the first and seconddifferent fragrant materials are separate and discrete with respect toone another in the container. The first fragrant material provides adesired or aesthetically pleasing fragrance. The second fragrantmaterial comprises a neutralizing agent. The first and second differentfragrant materials each comprise a water based gel. The first and seconddifferent fragrant materials have different fragrances combinable in asynergistic manner. The second fragrant material with the neutralizingagent is translucent. The second fragrant material with the neutralizingagent is visible through the outer wall of the container. The firstfragrant material with the desired or aesthetically pleasing fragranceis visible through the inner wall, the second fragrant material with theneutralizing agent, and the outer wall of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example,features of the invention; and, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air freshener in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the air freshener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the air freshener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a is a cross-sectional side view of the air freshener of FIG. 1taken along line 4 a of FIG. 3, showing a cap and a sleeve in a closedposition with respect to a container;

FIG. 4 b is a cross-sectional side view of the air freshener of FIG. 1taken along line 4 a of FIG. 3, showing the cap and the sleeve in araised or open position with respect to the container;

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of the air freshener of FIG. 1, showingthe cap and the sleeve removed from the container;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the air freshener of FIG. 1,showing an outer annular cap removed from an inverted cup and the sleeveto show the inverted cup and the sleeve with respect to the container;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an outer annular container of thecontainer of the air freshener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an inner cylindrical container of thecontainer of the air freshener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inverted cup and the sleeve of thecap of the air freshener of FIG. 1, with the outer annular cap removedtherefrom;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the container, and the outer annularcontainer and the inner cylindrical container thereof, of the airfreshener of FIG. 1, shown with the cap and the sleeve removedtherefrom;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the outer annular cap of the airfreshener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the outer annular cap of the air freshenerof FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the outer annular capof the air freshener of FIG. 1 taken along line 14 of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view of volumes defined by theouter annular container and the inner cylindrical container, and/orfragrant material of the containers, of the air freshener of FIG. 1.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, andspecific language will be used herein to describe the same. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT(S)

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-14, an air freshener device, indicatedgenerally at 10, in an example implementation in accordance with theinvention is shown. The air freshener can provide multiple complimentaryscented materials in a container with a cap that selectively exposes thescented material or that axially displaces with respect to the containerto selectively increase a gap between the cap and the container tocontrol scent release. The air freshener can provide a desired and/oraesthetically pleasing scent, fragrance, aroma or neutralizing agent.Air fresheners are one example of a field that can benefit from thepresent invention.

The air freshener 10 comprises a container 14 that contains a fragrantmaterial, such as a fragrant gel material, from which a fragrancepermeates over time. The container 14 contains at least two differentfragrant materials, such as first and second fragrant materials 18 a and18 b with different fragrances, such as first and second fragrances. Thefragrances can be complimentary. The two fragrances can combine in asynergistic manner with the combined scent being more pleasing ordifferent than either scent individually. The fragrant materials can beseparate and discrete with respect to one another in the container. Thefirst fragrant material can be an outer fragrant material, while thesecond fragrant material can be an inner fragrant material. The fragrantgel material can be a water based gel. In addition, the fragrantmaterial can be transparent or at least translucent. The container 14can have a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical-shaped perimeter toaccommodate rotation as discussed below. In addition, the container 14can have an outer perimeter wall 20. Furthermore, the container 14 canhave a closed bottom and an open upper end or upper opening.

The container 14 can be a divided into separate and discrete containersor reservoirs, including an inner cylindrical reservoir 22 or container,and an outer annular reservoir 26 or container being separate anddiscrete from, and circumscribing, the inner cylindrical reservoir. Thecontainer 14 can be formed by an outer annular container and an innercylindrical container. Each of the at least two different fragrantmaterials is disposed in a different one of the reservoirs. The firstfragrant material 18 a can be disposed in the outer annular reservoir 26or container, and the second fragrant material 18 b can be disposed inthe inner cylindrical container 22. Thus, the outer annular containercan have the annular reservoir, and can contain the first fragrantmaterial. Similarly, the inner cylindrical container can becircumscribed by the outer annular container, and can have thecylindrical reservoir, and can contain the second fragrant material.

As described above, the reservoirs or containers can be separate anddiscrete, or can have separate and discrete volumes, as shown in FIG.14. A pair of concentric cylindrical walls 30 and 34 can be disposed inthe container 14, and can divide the container into the innercylindrical reservoir 22 and the outer annular reservoir 26, or theinner cylindrical container 22 and the outer annular container 26. Thepair of walls can be vertically oriented and can extend axially orvertically from a bottom wall of the container towards the open upperend of the container. In addition, the pair of walls can be cylindricalto facilitate rotation, as discussed below. Furthermore, the pair ofwalls can be concentric with one another, and spaced-apart from oneanother, or can oppose one another, to form an annular gap 38therebetween. Thus, the outer annular container or reservoir 26 can haveor can be formed by an outer wall or outer wall 20 of the container, andan inner wall or outermost wall 30 of the pair of walls. Similarly, theinner cylindrical container or reservoir 22 can have or can be formed bya wall opposing and spaced apart from the inner wall 30 of the outerannular container, or the innermost wall 34 of the pair of walls.

The inner cylindrical container or reservoir 22 and the outer annularcontainer or reservoir 26 can be separately formed. Each of the innercylindrical container or reservoir 22 and the outer annular container orreservoir 26 can be formed as a single, integral, monolithic piece thatis formed together, such as of plastic in an injection molding process.Thus, the inner cylindrical container or reservoir 22 can be formed as acup with a bottom wall and the opposing wall or innermost wall 34.Similarly, the outer annular container or reservoir 26 can be an annularcup with a bottom wall and the outer wall 20 and inner wall or outermostwall 30. The two containers or reservoirs 22 and 26 can be joinedtogether to form the container 14. For example, an interlocking coupling42 can be formed between the containers or reservoirs 22 and 26 at abottom inner rim of the outer annular container or reservoir 26, and ata bottom outer rim of the inner cylindrical container 22. For example,each bottom rim can include a plurality of teeth that intermesh toconnect the containers and resist rotation of the containers withrespect to one another. The rims or teeth can be adhered together. Thebottom walls of the containers can be co-planar or flush with a supportsurface upon which the container is disposed.

The containers or cups can be formed of, or can include, a material thatresists reacting with the fragrant gel material, such as polypropylene.In addition, the container or cups, or walls thereof can be transparent,or at least translucent, so that the fragrant material is visibletherethrough. In addition, the fragrant material, or at least the firstfragrant material, can be transparent, or at least translucent, so thatthe second fragrant material is visible therethrough.

The air freshener 10 also comprises a cap 50 or lid carried by thecontainer 14 and disposable on the container over the open upper end tocover the containers or reservoirs 22 and 26. The cap 50 can be part ofthe container 14. A sleeve 54 extends from the cap 50 into the container14, and into the annular gap 38 between the containers or reservoirs 22and 26, and between the pair of cylindrical walls 30 and 34. The sleeve54 is cylindrical to match the annular gap and the pair of cylindricalwalls 30 and 34. The sleeve 54 can have at least one lateral or radialaperture or opening 58. In one aspect, the at least one aperture 58 caninclude a plurality of apertures or holes circumscribing the sleeve, anddisposed adjacent the top thereof. The cap 50 and the sleeve 54 aremovable axially with respect to the container 14 (and thus containers orreservoirs 22 and 26) between a raised position (FIG. 4 a) and a closedposition (FIG. 4 b). In the raised position, the cap and the sleeve, andthus the aperture 58, are raised with respect to the container, and theat least two different fragrances are released. In the raised position,the cap is raised to release the first fragrance from the outer annularcontainer or reservoir, indicated by line 66 in FIG. 4 b, and the atleast one aperture in the cylindrical sleeve is exposed to release thesecond fragrance from the inner cylindrical container or reservoirthrough the aperture, indicated by line 68 in FIG. 4 b. In the closedposition, the cap covers the container to resist release of the at leasttwo different fragrances, as shown in FIG. 4 a. In the closed position,the at least one aperture in the cylindrical sleeve is disposed in theannular gap, and the cap covers the container to resist release of thefirst and second fragrances.

In one aspect, the cap and the sleeve can extend linearly vertically oraxially towards and away from the container, and can be held by afriction resistance or interference fit between the sleeve and the pairof walls. In another aspect, mating screw threads can be formed betweenthe sleeve and the pair of walls such that rotation of the cap moves thecap axially with respect to the container. For example, an inner screwthread 62 can be formed on the inner wall or outermost wall 30 of theouter annular container or reservoir 26. Similarly, an exterior screwthread 64 can be formed on the sleeve 54, and can engaging the interiorscrew thread 62. The screw threads do not need to be continuous, but canbe segmented to form portions of screw threads, such as shown by screwthreads 62 in FIG. 5.

The cap 50 and the sleeve 54 can comprise an inverted cup 70 and anouter annular cap 74 coupled together. The inverted cup 70 can have atop wall covering the inner cylindrical container or reservoir 22, andabutting to an upper rim thereof in the closed position. In addition,the inverted cup 70 can have a side wall forming the cylindrical sleeve.The inverted cup 70 can be formed of, or can include, a material that isreactable with the fragrant gel material, such as polystyrene, but isseparated from the fragrant gel material by the pair of walls 30 and 34.In another aspect, the inverted cup can be formed of, or can include, amaterial that resists reacting with the fragrant gel material, such aspolypropylene. At least the top wall of the inverted cup, and thus atleast a portion of the cap 50 over the inner container or reservoir 22,is transparent, or at least translucent, so that the second fragrantmaterial 18 b is visible therethrough. The inverted cup can betranslucent or transparent, including the sleeve. The outer annular cap74 can coupled to the inverted cup 70, and can cover the outer annularcontainer or reservoir 26, and can abut to an upper rim thereof in theclosed position. The outer annular cap can have an annular groove orchannel formed around a perimeter thereof to receive the upper rim ofthe outer wall in the closed position. In addition, the outer annularcap can have a center aperture to receive the top wall of the invertedcup. The inverted cup can have a projection extending into the centeraperture of the outer annular cap. The outer annular cap and theinverted cup can be adhered together. The outer annular cap can beopaque.

As described above, the outer annular container 26, the innercylindrical container 22, the cylindrical sleeve 54, and the firstfragrant material 18 a can be at least translucent so that the secondfragrant material 18 b is visible laterally therethrough. The outer wall20 of the outer annular container 26 can be at least translucent, andthe first fragrant material 18 a can be visible laterally therethrough.At least a portion of the cap 50, such as the top wall of the invertedcup 70, over the inner cylindrical container 22 can be at leasttranslucent so that the second fragrant material 18 b is visible axiallytherethrough.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of thepresent invention in one or more particular applications, it will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be madewithout the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing fromthe principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is notintended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims setforth below.

1. An air freshener device, comprising: a) a container with an openupper end and the container divided into separate and discretereservoirs separated by an inner wall extending from a bottom of thecontainer towards the open upper end of the container; b) first andsecond different fragrant materials each disposed in a different one ofthe separate and discrete reservoirs so that the first and seconddifferent fragrant materials are separate and discrete with respect toone another in the container; c) the first fragrant material providing adesired or aesthetically pleasing fragrance; d) the second fragrantmaterial comprising a neutralizing agent; e) the first and seconddifferent fragrant materials each comprising a water based gel; f) a capdisposed on the container over the open upper end to cover andselectively expose the separate and discrete reservoirs and the firstand second different fragrant materials; and g) an outer wall of thecontainer, the inner wall of the container, and the second fragrantmaterial being at least translucent; and the first fragrant materialbeing visible through the outer wall of the container, the inner wall ofthe container, and the first fragrant material.
 2. The air freshenerdevice in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a) the separateand discrete reservoirs comprising an inner cylindrical reservoir and anouter annular reservoir circumscribing the inner cylindrical reservoir;b) a sleeve extending from the cap into the container between the innerand outer reservoirs; and c) the cap movable axially with respect to thecontainer between a raised position in which the fragrance is released,and a closed position in which the cap covers the container to resistrelease of the fragrance.
 3. The air freshener device in accordance withclaim 2, further comprising: the inner wall comprising a pair ofconcentric cylindrical walls disposed in the container and concentricwith one another and forming an annular gap therebetween and dividingthe container into the inner cylindrical reservoir and the outer annularreservoir.
 4. The air freshener device in accordance with claim 3,wherein the sleeve extends from the cap into the annular gap between thepair of cylindrical walls; and wherein the sleeve has at least oneopening therethough.
 5. The air freshener device in accordance withclaim 4, further comprising: mating screw threads formed between thesleeve and at least one of the pair of concentric cylindrical walls suchthat rotation of the cap moves the cap axially with respect to thecontainer.
 6. An air freshener device, comprising: a) a container withan open upper end and the container divided into separate and discretereservoirs separated by an inner wall extending from a bottom of thecontainer towards the open upper end of the container; b) first andsecond different fragrant materials each disposed in a different one ofthe separate and discrete reservoirs so that the first and seconddifferent fragrant materials are separate and discrete with respect toone another in the container; c) the first and second different fragrantmaterials having different fragrances combinable in a synergisticmanner; d) the first and second different fragrant materials eachcomprising a water based gel; and e) a cap disposed on the containerover the open upper end to cover and selectively expose the separate anddiscrete reservoirs and the first and second different fragrantmaterials.
 7. The air freshener device in accordance with claim 6,wherein the first fragrant material provides a desired or aestheticallypleasing fragrance; and wherein the second fragrant material comprises aneutralizing agent.
 8. The air freshener device in accordance with claim7, wherein an outer wall of the container, the inner wall of thecontainer, and the first fragrant material are at least translucent; andthe second fragrant material is visible through the outer wall of thecontainer, the inner wall of the container, and the first fragrantmaterial.
 9. The air freshener device in accordance with claim 7,wherein an outer wall of the container, the inner wall of the container,and the second fragrant material are at least translucent; and the firstfragrant material is visible through the outer wall of the container,the inner wall of the container, and the second fragrant material. 10.The air freshener device in accordance with claim 6, wherein an outerwall of the container is at least translucent and the first fragrantmaterial is visible through the outer wall of the container; and whereinthe inner wall and the first fragrant material are at least translucentand the second fragrant material is visible through the inner wall, thefirst fragrant material, and the outer wall of the container.
 11. Theair freshener device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the outer wallof the container, the inner wall of the container, and the firstfragrant material are at least translucent; and the second fragrantmaterial is visible therethrough.
 12. The air freshener device inaccordance with claim 6, further comprising: a) the separate anddiscrete reservoirs comprising an inner cylindrical reservoir and anouter annular reservoir circumscribing the inner cylindrical reservoir;b) a sleeve extending from the cap into the container between the innerand outer reservoirs; and c) the cap movable axially with respect to thecontainer between a raised position in which the fragrance is released,and a closed position in which the cap covers the container to resistrelease of the fragrance.
 13. The air freshener device in accordancewith claim 12, further comprising: the inner wall comprising a pair ofconcentric cylindrical walls disposed in the container and concentricwith one another and forming an annular gap therebetween and dividingthe container into the inner cylindrical reservoir and the outer annularreservoir.
 14. The air freshener device in accordance with claim 13,wherein the sleeve extends from the cap into the annular gap between thepair of cylindrical walls; and wherein the sleeve has at least oneopening therethough.
 15. The air freshener device in accordance withclaim 14, further comprising: mating screw threads formed between thesleeve and at least one of the pair of concentric cylindrical walls suchthat rotation of the cap moves the cap axially with respect to thecontainer.
 16. An air freshener device, comprising: a) a container withan open upper end; b) the container having at outer wall that istranslucent; c) the container having an inner wall extending from abottom of the container towards the open upper end of the container; d)the inner wall dividing the container into separate and discretereservoirs separated by the inner wall extending from a bottom of thecontainer towards the open upper end of the container; e) the inner wallbeing translucent; f) a cap disposed on the container over the openupper end to cover and selectively expose the separate and discretereservoirs; g) the cap having a top wall that is translucent; h) firstand second different fragrant materials each disposed in a different oneof the separate and discrete reservoirs of the container so that thefirst and second different fragrant materials are separate and discretewith respect to one another in the container; i) the first fragrantmaterial providing a desired or aesthetically pleasing fragrance; j) thesecond fragrant material comprising a neutralizing agent; k) the firstand second different fragrant materials each comprising a water basedgel; l) the first and second different fragrant materials havingdifferent fragrances combinable in a synergistic manner; m) the secondfragrant material with the neutralizing agent being translucent; n) thesecond fragrant material with the neutralizing agent being visiblethrough the outer wall of the container; and o) the first fragrantmaterial with the desired or aesthetically pleasing fragrance beingvisible through the inner wall, the second fragrant material with theneutralizing agent, and the outer wall of the container.
 17. The airfreshener device in accordance with claim 16, further comprising: a) theseparate and discrete reservoirs comprising an inner cylindricalreservoir and an outer annular reservoir circumscribing the innercylindrical reservoir; b) a sleeve extending from the cap into thecontainer between the inner and outer reservoirs; and c) the cap movableaxially with respect to the container between a raised position in whichthe fragrance is released, and a closed position in which the cap coversthe container to resist release of the fragrance.
 18. The air freshenerdevice in accordance with claim 17, further comprising: the inner wallcomprising a pair of concentric cylindrical walls disposed in thecontainer and concentric with one another and forming an annular gaptherebetween and dividing the container into the inner cylindricalreservoir and the outer annular reservoir.
 19. The air freshener devicein accordance with claim 18, wherein the sleeve extends from the capinto the annular gap between the pair of cylindrical walls; and whereinthe sleeve has at least one opening therethough.
 20. The air freshenerdevice in accordance with claim 19, further comprising: mating screwthreads formed between the sleeve and at least one of the pair ofconcentric cylindrical walls such that rotation of the cap moves the capaxially with respect to the container.